ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Expansion and modernisation of the Marine Sector
The Government of India has made concerted efforts for expansion and modernisation of the Marine Sector in the Country. Infrastructure development in the Marine Sector is a continuous process. The process inter-alia involves the construction of new berths and terminals, mechanization of existing berths and terminals, capital dredging for deepening drafts for attracting large vessels in port channels, development of road and rail connectivity etc., help in increasing the capacity of major ports. As a result, the cargo handling capacity of the Major Ports has been steadily going up. The Major Ports installed capacity as on 31.3.2023 is 1,617 MTPA, which is sufficient to handle the existing cargo traffic at the Major ports.
The Government has taken several progressive steps to improve the standards of maritime training, examination and certification system, increase on-board training opportunities and welfare measures for the seafarers. Due to these steps, the number of Indian seafarers employed in this calendar year has reached the record level of 2,82,918 on Indian and foreign flagged vessels. A few policies for promotion of Ship building & Indian flagging of vessels are as follows:
Ship Building Financial Assistance Policy : Government of India has approved the Financial Assistance Policy for Indian Shipyards. Financial assistance is @ 20% of the contract price, actual receipts, fair price  to Indian shipyards. The financial assistance extended reduces by 3% every three years.
Revision of the criteria for Right of First refusal : The criteria for granting the Right of First Refusal in chartering of vessels through tender process has been revised for promoting tonnage under Indian flag and ship-building in India, so as to make India Atma-nirbhar/self-reliant Bharat, in terms of tonnage and ship-building in India. The following is the hierarchy of RoFR;
- Indian built, Indian flagged ;
- Foreign built, Indian flagged ;
- Indian built, foreign flagged .
This promotes demand of Indian built and Indian flag vessels as such vessels have priority in chartering.
Subsidy support to Indian shipping companies: A scheme for the promotion of flagging of merchant ships in India by providing Rs.1624 crore over a period of five years as subsidy support to Indian shipping companies in global tenders floated by Ministries and Central Public Sector Enterprises  has been approved. The rate of subsidy support is based on age of the vessel. The scheme encourages entrepreneur to register ships under Indian flag.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update- Day 223
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage crosses 61 Cr landmark milestone
Nearly 68 lakh Vaccine Doses administered today till 7 pm
In a significant achievement, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed61 Crore  landmark milestoneas per the 7 pm provisional report today. Nearly68 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered today, as per the 7 pm provisional report.Final reports would be completed for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
|
|
Healthcare workers
|
|
Frontline workers
|
|
People Aged 18-44 Years
|
|
People Aged 45-59 Years
|
|
People Aged ≥ 60 Years
|
|
Total
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10356040
|
|
18314022
|
|
231895731
|
|
126391319
|
|
84943408
|
|
471900520
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
8292060
|
|
12854105
|
|
23374357
|
|
51317222
|
|
43305309
|
|
139143053
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
|
|
Date: 26thAugust, 2021 
|
|
|
|
Healthcare workers
|
|
Frontline workers
|
|
People Aged 18-44 Years
|
|
People Aged 45-59 Years
|
|
People Aged ≥ 60 Years
|
|
Total
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
508
|
|
1937
|
|
3459041
|
|
858428
|
|
368200
|
|
4688114
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
16779
|
|
67981
|
|
1027572
|
|
647765
|
|
339094
|
|
2099191
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Ministry of Finance
Government amends Insurance Ombudsman Rules for better resolution of policyholders’ complaints regarding insurance service deficiencies
The Government on 2nd March 2021 notified comprehensive amendments to the Insurance Ombudsman Rules, 2017, with a view to improve the working of the Insurance Ombudsman mechanism to facilitate resolution of complaints regarding deficiencies in insurance services in a timely, cost-effective and impartial manner.
The amended rules have enlarged the scope of complaints to Ombudsmen from only disputes earlier to deficiencies in service on the part of insurers, agents, brokers and other intermediaries. Further, insurance brokers have been brought within the ambit of the Ombudsman mechanism, by empowering the Ombudsmen to pass awards against insurance brokers as well.
Under the amended rules, the timeliness and cost-effectiveness of the mechanism has been substantially strengthened. Policyholders will now be enabled for making complaints electronically to the Ombudsman and a complaints management system will be created to enable policyholders to track the status of their complaints online. Further, the Ombudsman may use video-conferencing for hearings. To enable access to relief through the Ombudsman mechanism even when there is vacancy in the office of a particular Ombudsman, provision has been made for giving additional charge to another Ombudsman, pending the filling of the vacancy.
A number of amendments have been made for securing the independence and integrity of the Ombudsman selection process, while also building in safeguards to secure the independence and impartiality of the appointed persons while serving as Ombudsmen. Further, the selection committee will now include an individual with a track record of promoting consumer rights or advancing the cause of consumer protection in the insurance sector.
The Ombudsman mechanism was administered by the Executive Council of Insurers, which has been renamed as the Council for Insurance Ombudsmen.
Click here to view Official Gazette Notification.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President greets the nation on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti and Pongal
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has greeted the nation on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti and Pongal.
In a message, VP paid tribute to the farmers for their relentless toil and said, “let us all resolve to return to our roots and protect our glorious culture, traditions, customs, arts and festivals.”
Following is the full text of the message -
“I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all our citizens on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti and Pongal.
The harvest festival signifies the beginning of Uttarayan and is dedicated to Sun God who is regarded as the symbol divinity and wisdom.
Throughout India, people celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm. It is celebrated in different names in different parts of the country. In south India, it is popularly called as “Pongal & ‘Makar Sankranti’, ‘Vishu’ in Kerala, in Punjab and Haryana it is called ‘Lohri’, in Assam, it is called ‘Bihu’ and ‘Khichdi festival’ in Bihar.
This festival called by different names marks the beginning of a new season with thousands of people taking holy dips in sacred rivers. It basically celebrates the bounty of nature and is symbolized by the expression of profound gratitude to nature for nourishing and sustaining life.
Pongal festival is associated with agriculture and harvesting of the crops. It is marked by worshipping the Sun God and decorating the bullocks, ploughs and sickles. A special puja is performed on the first day and farmers cut the newly harvested paddy with the consecrated tools.
Festivals are an inherent part of our great civilization and have a strong association with nature. They promote the message of togetherness, love, and brotherhood and are the occasions for families and their dear and near ones to come together and celebrate them.
On this auspicious occasion, let us pay tribute to our farmers for their relentless toil and let us all resolve to return to our roots and protect our glorious culture, traditions, customs, arts and festivals. May this festival usher in greater prosperity, peace and happiness in the country!”
Prime Minister's Office
PM to inaugurate Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of CBI on 3rd April
PM to confer President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service and Gold Medal for Best Investigating Officers of CBI
PM to release Postage Stamp and Commemorative Coin marking Diamond Jubilee Celebration year of CBI
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of Central Bureau of Investigation  on 3rd April at 12 noon at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
During the programme, an Investiture Ceremony for recipients of President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service and Gold Medal for Best Investigating Officers of CBI will be held wherein Prime Minister will confer medals to the awardees. Prime Minister will also inaugurate newly constructed office complexes of CBI at Shillong, Pune and Nagpur. He will release a Postage Stamp and Commemorative Coin marking the Diamond Jubilee Celebration year of CBI. He will also launch the Twitter handle of CBI.
The Central Bureau of Investigation was established by a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India dated 1st April, 1963.
Ministry of Railways
Railways Adjudged as the Best Ministry for Implementation of Swachhata Action Plan for 2018-19
President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind Presented Swachhata Awards Today.
The Best Swachh Iconic Place Award is given to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus 
Mumbai Under the Swachh Bharat Mission Initiative.
Minister for Railways, Commerce and Industries Shri Piyush Goyal Urged all in the Railways to Make Cleanliness an Organisational Culture
The President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind presented an award to Indian Railways as the best ministry for implementation of Swachhata action plan for 2018-19. Chairman, Railway Board Shri Vinod Kumar Yadav received the award on behalf of the Indian Railways. The President of India also presented the best Swachh iconic Place award to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus  Mumbai under the Swachh Bharat Mission initiative. The three best stations as per Cleanliness Ranking Survey for 2018 i.e. Jodhpur, Jaipur & Tirupati were also awarded.
Indian Railways placed all the required resources for swachhata and they are yielding results. The Minister for Railways, Commerce and Industries Shri Piyush Goyal has perpetually been persuading all Railway officials to make cleanliness an organisational culture. Recently the Minister directed all Railway officials to observe a special 10 days cleanliness drive for trains and stations starting 2nd September, 2019. These perpetual drives are also monitored by uploading of selected photographs on E-Drishti and the Minister’s dashboard.
Such feedback from commuters’ is further used to promote cleanliness campaign of railways, which together is the biggest service provisioning public place in the country. Indian Railways had spent about 3000 Crore Rupees on cleanliness drives on its various properties during 2018-19.
Shri Vinod Kumar Yadav, Chairman, Railway Board regularly conducts meetings with General Managers of Zonal Railways via video conferencing to discuss Swacchata subject also. Today after the awards ceremony Shri Yadav congratulated all the General Managers and DRMs for the recognition that they have brought to Indian Railways as the best Ministry in Swachh Mohatsav Awards. Shri Yadav also discussed with them measures to further improve cleanliness on the trains and stations.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Shri Gowda review of progress of RFCL's Ramagundam project
12.7 Lakh MT per annum Urea Project expected to be commissioned by October : Gowda
Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers Shri Sadananda Gowda held a meeting today in New Delhi with CEO Ramagundam Fertilizers and Chemicals limited  to review the progress of construction works of the project .
Speaking on the occasion the Minister observed that the project is near completion and he is hopeful that it will be ready for commercial production by October this year. He appreciated measures taken by RFCL to overcome challenges thrown by COVID pandemic. Once completed, the project will realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’. After commissioning, Ramagundam project along with other revival projects at Gorakhpur, Barauni, Sindri and Talcher will reduce the need for urea import by 63.5 LMT per annum.
RFCL is upcoming gas based urea unit of 12.7 Lakh MT per annum capacity at Ramagundam, Telengana. It is a Joint Venture Company  promoted by National Fertilizers Limited , Engineers India Limited  and Fertilizer Corporation of India Limited . The foundation stone of the project was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 7, 2016. Once completed, RFCL project will reduce India’s dependency on imported urea, save foreign exchange and create jobs.
During the meeting, Shri Nirlep Singh Rai, CEO, RFCL gave a brief about physical progress of various works of the project, and said that the project is about 99 % complete. The work at the site got stalled during the lock down period for sometime but has resumed since May 03, 2020. Availability of manpower at site is a problem area, but management has adopted proactive measures to retain workers by providing free meals and accommodation to contract workers, and payment of wages during the lock down period.
Government of India had announced New Investment Policy , 2012 to facilitate fresh investment in urea sector and to make India self-sufficient in the urea sector. Under NIP, 2012, Govt of India is reviving the 5 closed fertilizer plants . The Five Public Sector Units under revival are:-
Ramagundam Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited 
Talcher Fertilizers Limited 
Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited
Prime Minister's Office
PM extends good wishes to Gondia residents for new passenger train
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has extended his good wishes to Gondia residents for a new passenger train which will run between Jabalpur-Gondia-Jabalpur.
In response to a tweet by Sunil Mendhe, the Prime Minister said;
"बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं! जबलपुर और गोंदिया के बीच यह नई ट्रेन एक बड़ी सौगात है, जिससे लोगों का सफर सुरक्षित और सुविधाजनक होगा।"
Special Service and Features
National Conference of State Open Schools
National Institute of Open Schooling  is organising National Conference for State Open Schools under the guidance of its Chairperson Prof. Saroj Sharma ji on 22-23 December, 2022 at Vivekanand Kendra, Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu. This programme will be a milestone in the implementation of National Education Policy-2020.
On the occasion of the inaugural session of this two days conference, Hon’ble Dr. Kiran Bedi, Former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherrygraced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
These two days will give a platform for significant deliberations on the implementation of National Education Policy – 2020 and ways to reach out of school children through Open and Distance Learning System.
In her welcome address, Chairperson, NIOS Prof. Saroj Sharma expressed that the objective of the implementation of National Educational Policy- 2020 to make ‘Knowledge Centre of education’ for all. It give emphasis on the importance of traditions and heritage of India.
Sh. Laxminarayan Panigrahy, Head Eastern Region, Vivekanand Kendra told that “Vivekanand was vishwaguru. More deliberation is required for the implementation of NEP-2020. The joint efforts of NIOS and SOS will decide the direction of education in India”.
Dr. V. Theiva Prakash, Independent Director, Food Corporation of India appreciated the efforts of NIOS for education of the education deprived section of the society.
In her speech Dr. Kiran Bedi, Former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry said that NIOS should ensure the regular communication with institutions so that these learners can be brought to mainstream. It is also required to make better coordination between government and NGOs. She also expressed the need of vocational education.
At the end of the inaugural session, Dr. Rajiv Kumar Singh, Director  presented the vote of thanks and conveyed his gratitude to chief guest and all the dignitaries participated the programme.
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SM/PLM/AG/KRS
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Ministry of Finance
Auction for Sale  of  ‘7.38% GS 2027’,  ‘7.26% GS 2032’,  ‘7.36% GS 2052’
The Government of India  has announced the sale  of  “7.38% Government Security 2027” for a notified amount of Rs 7,000 crore  through price based auction using uniform price method,  “7.26% Government Security 2032” for a notified amount of Rs 12,000 crore  through price based auction using uniform price method and  “7.36% Government Security 2052” for a notified amount of Rs 9,000 crore  through price based auction using multiple price method. GoI will have the option to retain additional subscription up to Rs 2,000 crore against each security mentioned above. The auctions will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai Office, Fort, Mumbai on November 11, 2022 .
Up to 5% of the notified amount of the sale of the securities will be allotted to eligible individuals and institutions as per the Scheme for Non-Competitive Bidding Facility in the Auction of Government Securities.
Both competitive and non-competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution  system on November 11, 2022. The non-competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. and the competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m.
The result of the auctions will be announced on November 11, 2022  and payment by successful bidders will be on November 14, 2022 .
The Securities will be eligible for “When Issued” trading in accordance with the guidelines on ‘When Issued transactions in Central Government Securities’ issued by the Reserve Bank of India vide circular No. RBI/2018-19/25 dated July 24, 2018 as amended from time to time.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India achieves a new milestone in voluntary blood donation with nationwide mega Blood Donation Camp held today under Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav
Dr Mansukh Mandaviya- "With more than 87,000 voluntary blood donors, India has created a new World Record today"
More than 6,000 camps registered for mega drive along with more than 1.97 lakh blood donors registered so far on E-Rakt Kosh portal
Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan launched by Hon’ble President gains momentum with over 15,000 Mitras committed to supporting more than 9.5 lakh TB patients
With more than 87,000  people voluntarily donating blood in a single day , the country has surpassed the previous best of 87,059  to create a new world record today. This is a significant achievement in the countrywide mega voluntary blood donation drive, Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav which was kickstarted by Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya today by donating blood at a blood donation camp at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi. Dr. Mandaviya hailed the extraordinary achievement in his tweet:
As another remarkable aspect of this nationwide drive, 6,136 camps have been registered for this mega drive along with more than 1.95 lakh blood donors registered so far on E-Rakt Kosh portal .
In another step towards ensuring health for all, Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu launched ‘Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’ to eliminate TB by 2025, on 9th September 2022. Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan is an extension of Hon’ble Prime Minister’s citizen- centric policies and a key step in ensuring enhanced awareness regarding the treatment for TB, a curable disease. The treatment is available free of cost at government health facilities.
The initiative has gained momentum and so far roughly 13.5 lakh TB patients have registered on the Nikshay portal, out of which 9.5 lakh active TB patients have given their consent for adoption.
The Ni-kshay 2.0 portal  is facilitating in providing additional patient support to improve treatment outcome of TB patients, augmenting community involvement in meeting India’s commitment to end TB by 2025 and leveraging Corporate Social Responsibility  opportunities.
Nikshay Mitras can also register on the website and more than 15,000 such mitras have registered so far and shown their commitment to provide support for over 9.5 lakh TB patients.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
2,800 films from 108 countries on a single topic is an example of peoples' immense talent: Shri Prakash Javadekar
“ 51st IFFI would be organized in a hybrid manner ”
Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Shri Prakash Javadekar said that the idea of organizing a film festival to celebrate short films made on coronavirus was wonderful. Speaking at the International Coronavirus Short Film Festival here today, Shri Javadekar said that the festival witnessing participation of 2,800 films from 108 countries on a single topic is an example of peoples' immense talent. The Minister congratulated the organizers of the festival.
Shri Javadekar said that the pandemic has caused major upsets in countries across the globe. However, he noted, that India has been able to handle the crisis well under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who recognized the crisis early in 2020 and has since been working relentlessly against the threat.
The Minister also said that the coronavirus crisis is now on its way out and that soon vaccines would be available in India too. He took the opportunity to caution people against letting the guard down before anti bodies are created and second dose of the vaccine administered.
Speaking about 51st International Film Festival of India to be organized in Goa, Shri Javadekar said IFFI would be organized in a ‘hybrid manner’. People would be able to witness the festival online while the opening and closing ceremonies would be organized at the location with a smaller audience. He also informed that this edition of IFFI will see participation of 21 non-feature films.
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, speaking on the occasion, congratulated Shri Javadekar and Ministry of I&B for creating mass awareness about coronavirus successfully in a country as vast as India. He also congratulated the Jury and the organizers of the festival for bringing such a vast array of short films to a single place.
Saurabh Singh
(
Special Service and Features
Rajbhasha Scientific & Technical Seminar - 2023
Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment Avadi, a premier laboratory of DRDO organized a two day Scientific and Technical Hindi Seminar from 23 to 24 February 2023 at CVRDE,Avadi,Chennai-54.
The purpose of the seminar was to promote the use of Hindi in Official work, including scientific and technical areas.
Dr. Ravindra Singh, Director, Directorate of Parliamentary Affairs & Official Language , Dr. Deenanath Singh, Dy. General Manager, Southern Railway, Shri V. Balamurugan, Outstanding Scientist & Director, CVRDE, Dr. V. Balaguru, Associate Director, CVRDE and a large number of personnel from various DRDO’s Laboratories have participated and graced the occasion.